Settlement Reached on Diablo Grande Development

Ending a long legal battle over development impacts on endangered species, conservation groups and Diablo Grande Limited Partnership, developer of the Diablo Grande development project, reached a mediated settlement agreement on September 30, 2004. The agreement allows construction to begin on approximately 2000 homes while acquiring and permanently protecting habitat for the endangered California red-legged frog and San Joaquin kit fox.

Elements of the compromise includes:

The placement of 12,700 acres of undeveloped land on the Diablo Grande site into a wildlife conservation easement.

A donation of $3 million to a third party conservation organization for future purchases of property within western Stanislaus County for conservation purposes and, more specifically, to protect habitat of the frog and the fox.

An agreement ends future litigation over the project.

Protect Our Water and the San Joaquin Raptor/Wildlife Rescue Center were represented by Earthjustice in this legal action.